OG Anunoby Returning for NBA Finals Would Be Really Bad News for the Warriors

You forgot all about OG Anunoby, didn't you? Well, amid the sheer density of the narratives surrounding the Toronto Raptors in their run to the Eastern Conference title, nobody would blame you.

But now that the NBA Finals is just a few days away, the Raptors could see the surprise return of the athletic wing just in time to body up against the Golden State Warriors, reports Toronto insider Ryan Wolstat.

Per sources, the Raptors are quietly optimistic that they’ll get OG Anunoby back at some point vs. Warriors in the NBA Finals. They don’t know for sure, but spacing of games should help. Also long breaks between most games helps Kawhi quite a bit.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) May 26, 2019

Anunoby had to undergo an emergency appendectomy just as the regular season gave way to the playoffs and hasn't played ball since. But given how important he was to Nick Nurse's defensive setup -- he can competently defend all five positions -- the 21-year-old could be an X-factor in these finals.

And that's bad, bad news for Golden State, who are already forced to rely on otherworldly performances from Steph Curry and Draymond Green as they make do without Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins.

Also, OG Anunoby was the best defensive wing on a 59-win team(5th in DRtg) last year and hasn't played a game in the playoffs yet.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) May 24, 2019

Anunoby is famous for his ability to switch onto dynamic point guards defensively and hold his own. Adding him to a perimeter patrol that already includes Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Pascal Siakam (to say nothing of the capable Kyle Lowry) gives Nurse and the Raptors an impressive stash of options to throw out against Curry.

Are the Dubs still favorites in this series whether or not OG can come back? Sure. Of course they are. But giving the East champs one more weapon only decreases a margin of error for the defending champs that was already modest to begin with.